Among the 7000 islands of the Philippine archipelago is the small island of Alumar, located in Bohol province, between the larger and better-known islands of Cebu, Mindanao and Leyte.
Life on Alumar is simple and austere–in fact, health facilities are totally lacking and there is no electricity either. Mass is celebrated only once a month on the island. On the Sundays when there is no Mass, a Celebration of the Word is held to accompany and enlighten the hearts of the faithful, who make great sacrifices to attend these Bible sessions and who share a single copy of the Word of God among themselves.
Coming to know this situation, the Daughters of St. Paul recently carried out a Bible Mission in Santo Nino Parish on Alumar with the help of their network of collaborators and the support of our Pauline brothers. During the Mission, each family received the gift of a Bible and some women were so eager to secure a copy that they attended the animations while nursing their babies….
Our sisters rejoiced at the chance to be messengers of the Good News to Alumar and the islanders were equally joyful to welcome the sisters into their midst. They are profoundly aware of the immense treasure of the Word of God, which offers them a “home” and a “refuge” in the form of spiritual bread, water, light, clothing and, even more importantly, the great gifts of consolation and hope.
